Pursuit of wanted male leads to school lockdown

RCMP have arrested wanted man, Derek Gladue. The arrest came following a pursuit that resulted in a lock down at Portage College in lac La Biche. Gladue was wanted in connection to a chop shop operation and is now facing 19 charges. A second male was arrested and charged as a result of the pursuit.

This operation was spearheaded by the Eastern Alberta District Rural Crime Reduction Unit (EADRCRU) and Lac La Biche RCMP in efforts to apprehend a wanted male, Derek Gladue (25) of Beaver Lake. On Oct. 18, 2018, RCMP made a request of the public for assistance with tips on the location of Gladue, as he was wanted for several property crime offences in the Lakeland area, a “chop shop” operation in Beaver Lake, and nearly injuring an officer during an attempted arrest.

EADRCRU and Lac La Biche RCMP worked collaboratively to apprehend Gladue with the assistance of RCMP Air Services and Police Dog Services (PDS). Gladue was spotted in a truck stolen from Athabasca County by EADRCRU and a RCMP helicopter took over observation of the vehicle. Police made attempts to stop Gladue, but he fled at high speed. A pursuit was not initiated for public safety, but the RCMP’s eye in the sky kept the vehicle in view and coordinated with officers on the ground.

“Assistance from Air Services was integral in this operation”, said Constable Guillaume Wilson (EADRCRU). “This enabled us to mitigate the risk to the public and gave us the best chance of apprehending our subject.”

The stolen vehicle while not being pursued went through Lac La Biche driving dangerously, going through red lights, stop signs, and into oncoming traffic. A spike belt was successfully utilized and the truck became inoperable after a collision with a police vehicle.

Gladue and a passenger fled from the vehicle. The passenger was quickly apprehended by PDS but Gladue continued to flee into the Portage College which was nearby.

RCMP members, with assistance of Lac La Biche bylaw and emergency services, contained the college. Gladue was located hiding in the ceiling of a classroom and arrested without incident and no one was injured.

“The public did a fantastic job at remaining calm and assisting us during this ordeal”, says Cst. Wilson. “This incident could have lasted much longer had it not been for the quick response from the staff and students at Portage College, as well as the help from our other emergency service partners.”

Gladue’s arrest warrants from the Lac La Biche and Boyle RCMP included several charges, including:

Assault on a police officer with a weapon

Several counts of possession of property obtained by crime

Flight from police

Resisting a peace officer

Breaking and entering

Mischief over $5,000

Possession of break-in instruments

Failing to attend court

Alter/destroy/remove a vehicle identification number

Fraudulent concealment

Dangerous driving

Failing to comply with conditions of a recognizance

Following the events from Nov. 22, 2018, Gladue is also facing new charges, including:

Possession of property obtained by crime

Mischief over $5,000

Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle

Flight from police

Resisting a peace officer

Failing to comply with conditions of a recognizance

Driving while unauthorized

He was remanded into custody following a judicial hearing and will be appearing in Bonnyville Provincial Court on Nov. 27, 2018.

The passenger of the vehicle, James Lameman (25) of Beaver Lake has also been charged with several offences, including:

Possession of property obtained by crime

Flight from police

Failing to comply with conditions

Resisting a peace officer

He was released with court conditions after a judicial hearing and will be appearing in Lac La Biche Provincial Court on Dec. 3, 2018.

As this matter is now before the courts no further information is available.